Dear Members of the Prapatthi Group :
On this sacred day of VaikunTa EkAdasi also known as
MukkoTi EkAdasi, Bheeshama EkAdasi , KrishNa BhagavAn
is said to have performed GithOpadesam to his student ArjunA
on the battle field of Kurukshethram . Hence this day is also known as
GeethA Jayanthi day .
On this holiest of holy days in SrivaishNavA
calendar , Sri Ranganathan comes out of His AasthAnam and
enters the VaikunTa vaasal followed by throngs of devotees.
During the Adhyayana uthsavam coming to a splenderous
conclusion on VaikunTa EkAdasi day , NammAzhwAr performs his
SaraNAgathi . Thirumangai initiated the Adhyayana Uthsavam and it has
been carried out ever since by all of our Acharyas and the Uttama Nambhis
serving the Lord at His Bhoga MaNtapam known as Bhuloka VaikunTam .
The Various Gathis ( Nadais ) demonstrated by the SrI Paadham ThAngees
of Lord Ranganatha such as Simha Gathi , Vyagra Gathi , Sarpa Gathi
and Rishabha Gathi have deep esoteric and Yogic significance . The travel
of Kundalini sakthi through Sushumna Naadi to SahasrAram and
the darsanam of the Lord there in the form of a resplendent Jyothi
is referred to by Swami Desikan in the first slokam of
Sri Bhagavath Dhyana SopAnam:
ANTHARJYOTHI: KIMAPI YAMINAAM
ANJANAM YOGA DHRUSHTe :
CHINTAA RATNAM SULABHAMIHA NA:
SIDDHI MOKSHAANURUPAM I
DHEENAA NAATHA VYSANA SAMANAM DAIVATHAM
DIAVATHAANAAM
DIVYAM CHAKSHU: SRUTHIPARISHATHAAM
DRUSYATEH RANGAMADYEH II
Swami Desikan emulates the beautiful experience of
ThiruppANAzhwar described by latter in the ten verses of
AmalanAdhipirAn in his Sthothram . The first describes
the oLi pizhambhu ( Jyothi) , which is residing in the Yogi's
sahsrAram , which is the same as the one resting on
Adhiseshan a the middle of the two cauveris in the island of
Srirangam . Natha Muni practised the very same Yogam
and revealed it to his sishyAs through his AruLiccheyal
known as Yoga Rahasyam , which is no longer available to us.
Pointedly , Swami Desikan chooses the phrases YaminAm for Yogis ,
Antha: Jyothi : ( Internal effulgence at the thousand petalled lotus
in one's head ) , Yoga Dhrushteh: ( the JnanakkaNN) and goes onto
describe the blessings given by that resplendent Jyothi experienced
through One or other YogAs taught by GeethAchaaryan to ArjunA .
Swami states that this Jyothi is known as " Siddhi MokshAnurupam ChintA
ratnam ( The chinthAmani/divine , wish yielding gem stone , which
gives the Moksham as well as Bhogam in this universe ) . That Jyothi
also has the power to be " Dheena Anaatha Vyasana Samanam ".
It banishes the sorrows of the powerless , who are unable to practise
the tough YogAs and those , who have no one to protect them ( AnAthais ) .
Swami Desikan concludes this powerful first slokam by revealing that
this Jyothi is Daivatham DaivathAnAm or the supreme Lord of all Gods
and is resting in the middle of Srirangam practising Yoga NidrA .
Like ThiruppANAzhwAr , AndAL merged with this illustrious Jyothi
at Srirangam . She climbed Sri RanganathA's serpent bed and
merged with Him as His chosen bride . Until then , Sri Ranganatha
according to a slokam of GodhA sthuthi of Swami Desikan was
anxiously looking in the southern direction (towards Srivilliputthur )
for AndAL to complete her Prabhandhams and journey to His side .
( NidhraaLunApi niyatham nihithA : KatakshA : ) . Even as he was
sleeping in Yoga Nidra , RanganathA was often opening His eyes
anxiously to see whether AndAL was ready to travel to His asthAnam
and become His bride.
Such is the glory of this day and that of Sri Godha Piratti and Her
consort Sri RanganaathA .
GodhA priya Sri Ranganatha ParabrahmaNE nama:
Sri ViashNava Daasan ,
Oppiliappan Koil VaradaachaAri Sadagopan